DCU People
Professional Awards - Values-Based Leadership
Values-Based Leadership (Individual Award)
This award is open to staff at all grades; leadership is defined as influence, not hierarchy.
An individual who drives improvement supporting Values & Strategy while embodying the culture of the University by bringing a sense of ownership, competence, ethical leadership and innovation to their work, inspire and collaborate with others to enable them to achieve their potential.
Key Behaviours: agency, influence, ethical leadership, ownership, ambition.
Eligibility & Nominations
- Who is Eligible? All currently employed staff members within the DCU Community.
- How to Nominate: Nominations must be made by a member of DCU staff using the official nomination form.
- Please Note: Self-nominations (by individuals or teams) are not accepted.
How to Write a Strong Nomination
To ensure a nomination is successful, it must go beyond general praise. Use the following Five Pillars to structure your evidence:
| Pillar | What to Include |
|---|---|
| The Action | Describe the specific initiative, change or contribution. |
| The Behaviour | How did they demonstrate DCU values (e.g., ambition, inclusion or student focus)? |
| The Impact | Why is this meaningful to colleagues, students or the wider community? |
| The Evidence | Provide qualitative or quantitative results (feedback, metrics or outcomes). |
| The Distinction | What makes this contribution exceptional, unique or sustainable? |
Core Requirements
Every nomination should clearly demonstrate:
- Strategic Alignment: How the contribution supports the DCU Strategy.
- Value & Impact: How DCU Values are shown through behaviours and how they impact colleagues, students and community.
- Sustainability: The scope of the impact relative to the resources available.